Top cops being paid by gangs - Plato

2012-02-03 10:49

Cape Town - High ranking police officers are on the payrolls of drug lords and underworld figures in the Western Cape, according to community safety MEC Dan Plato.

The Cape Times on Friday quoted Plato as saying that night club owners, and others who were concerned about the situation, were too afraid to contact the police and told him this was because police officers were involved with those they wanted to lodge complaints against.

“They’ve got no trust in the police because there are too many officers on [crime bosses'] payrolls,” he said.

The names and ranks of officers allegedly receiving bribes were known and Plato was taking the matter up with police management.

Plato made the accusations based on information he had been gathering about the city’s lucrative and notorious bouncer industry, which was now dominated by a new company - Specialised Protection Services (SPS).

SPS, allegedly backed by businessmen police say are linked to organised crime, was set up after the murder of underworld figure Cyril Beeka in March.

It is an amalgamation of two companies, one previously run by Beeka.

In recent weeks a number of city club owners had contacted Plato complaining that they were being intimidated and threatened by individuals trying to force them to use particular bouncers.

Plato was planning to set up a separate phone line specifically for those feeling intimidated by security company bosses to call anonymously.

Comments

Peter - 2012-02-03 10:56

Nothing new here...nothing to see...move along

Peter - 2012-02-03 11:03

its pathetic that society needs protection from the people put in charge of protecting us...where on earth is this country going???

Mary - 2012-02-03 11:43

Do you really need to ask such a question ?

Peter - 2012-02-03 11:46

lol...its nice to see external perceptions

Donald - 2012-02-03 11:00

It is well known that this is the case in most other 3rd world and developing countries, so why would any one think that SA would be any different?

jowza1 - 2012-02-03 11:17

donald.it happens all around the world

Mary - 2012-02-03 11:44

It's just much worse here in ZA.

Brett - 2012-02-03 11:56

@jowza yeah and denial is a river in Egypt...

jowza1 - 2012-02-03 12:08

BRETT, where did i deny it?

Jerhone - 2012-02-03 12:15

Donald it never happened pre 94 why did we throw the baby out with the bathwater? or is it that some cultures just can't handle responsability and command?

dlawre30 - 2012-02-03 12:23

What about Alcapone? Chicago was just as bad. A long time ago yes, but the Mafia is very active in loads of countries.b Happens all over the world mate.

Hugo - 2012-02-03 16:48

Jerhone Stander gang?

allcoveredinNinjas - 2012-02-03 11:03

Of course and its not just the WC , Jackie Selebi was the tip of the ice berg . Its in the interests of police, security companies and crime bosses to have high levels of crime , over-burdened justice system and frightened public. This is why independent investigators are needed (remember scorpions), now they got rid of them. Big public show when they bust a guy carring some pot but never show the big fish getting fried , wonder why that is?Sacrifice a few pawns every now and then to keep the public happy while the carousel keeps going round . 90% of crime i reckon is organised via these agencies.

Derde - 2012-02-03 11:03

Where were you the past couple of years? Under a effin rock? Does the name Jackie Selebi mean anything to you?

Werner - 2012-02-03 11:07

Where are the good old days when I still served under the old disciplined SAP. This did simply not happen! We were officers with pride and money was never the issue. We had a passion for what we loved, yet this love was taken away with the dishing out of higher positions to sundry and all, who know nothing of policing. I have pity for the few exemplary members that have to stick it out, because there are no other options for them. To those police men and ladies from the old Force - keep doing what you love and serve your community well!!!!!

Abongile Mbauli - 2012-02-03 12:14

Pride? Pride in torturing law abiding citizens and have kill-squads for political dissidents? Shut off your nostalgia filter old man! Back then they were nazi's today they are mafioso's is the only difference!

dlawre30 - 2012-02-03 12:24

Have you forgotton Stander? Not a bad bank robber for a cop

Klaus - 2012-02-03 12:54

@Mbauli, the present lot was trained & instructed by communists, the biggest bunch of Mass Murderers in history

flysouth - 2012-02-03 17:24

The old SAP was as rotten as the new one pal! It's rottenness was less apparent because of effective censorship of the time.
The present SAPS is in fact simply an ANC militia masquerading as a police force - as is always the case in all Communist-led countries.

SaTyRLoliCoN - 2012-02-03 11:09

This is the same situation we had in the mid 1990's. Virtually every bar and club in Cape Town, from Sea Point to Simonstown, was forced to pay 'protection' money to extortionists.
Every club in town had bouncers wearing the same basic uniform, and the drug scene changed from free agents selling LSD and weed, to designer drugs.
Nothing has changed, just the guys at the top have been killed off and replaced. The corrupt cops are still in place, and the net is spreading wider. There are even police stations where the entire police staff is involved in covering up for drug merchants and gangsters.

Hloni Mashigo - 2012-02-03 11:11

Duh!! Cops anywhere in the world almost always know who the crimelords are, where they live , how they operate and have enough evidence to lock them up for eternity. Let me just put it like this, druglords and crime syndicates can tripple ur salary , everymonth, for the duration of ur employment at the police force. It wont stop especially because the government makes millions of dollars in the drug trade, read about ronald reagan and the cocain problem in the 80's if u dnt blve me, theres a lot of money involved here.

Hloni Mashigo - 2012-02-03 11:11

Duh!! Cops anywhere in the world almost always know who the crimelords are, where they live , how they operate and have enough evidence to lock them up for eternity. Let me just put it like this, druglords and crime syndicates can tripple ur salary , everymonth, for the duration of ur employment at the police force. It wont stop especially because the government makes millions of dollars in the drug trade, read about ronald reagan and the cocain problem in the 80's if u dnt blve me, theres a lot of money involved here.

JohncarlosBiza - 2012-02-03 11:13

"They’ve got no trust in the police..." - most of us don't.

Erich - 2012-02-03 11:20

Why single out the top cops? The gangs have much bigger fish on their payrolls. If you don't believe me, go to Parliament, Mr Plato.

raymond.kok3 - 2012-02-03 11:27

hoolala i hope that they will be expose saw suchg transaction last friday in parking area of shoprite eisch hart breaking man

Mary - 2012-02-03 11:42

Being paid by politicians too !!!
(to protect their criminal asses)

Craig - 2012-02-03 11:57

present evidence and follow up...

Mary - 2012-02-03 22:45

In this country, whistle-blowers get killed.

ReunionofIntelligentMinds - 2012-02-03 12:00

We all now what happens eventually with being involved with mafioso. A bullet execution style and body in the boot of a car.They are temporarily blinded by money and bling bling, but once wanting to opt out find themselves not being able to whilst alive.

Shirley - 2012-02-03 12:03

This is all over South Africa. The likes of Selebi opened vast networks of illicet trade/protection in the entertainment and I think we would be shocked to find out just how many cops are on the take! Its scary/.

Catherine - 2012-02-03 12:48

Dan Plato is going to have to watch his back! And his front for that matter. These club owners don't have the balls to talk. So pay up guys. You know these cops are corrupt.

Kevin - 2012-02-03 13:06

Bouncers...unemployable steriod fueled thugs...given carte blanche to impose there will on the rest of us law abiding citizens,out having some fun.They're all quilty of some form of extortion/drug selling and the likes.Syndicated means that they've now become so organised anything underhand is possible at a price...THUGS!!!

Coral - 2012-02-03 14:08

I wonder how long it took to figure this one out...

glen.gfm - 2012-02-03 14:38

Noticed how many thousands of drug dealers operating in the streets in front of schools drug rehab centers and the like.
The moment I wrote a letter to the local newspaper everyone fromn the highest level was on top of me.
Where do you think does the big shots get their money and young white girls for sex from?
Bring back the flame throwers of Pagad!!!
Hang the cops!

Kusleg - 2012-02-03 15:41

Mr Plato, hopefully you are staying in a bullet proof .....those you fingered will certainly eliminate you.

flysouth - 2012-02-03 17:19

And not only in the Western Cape!

alan.erwin1 - 2012-02-04 07:02

Al Capone rides again - Eliot Ness and The Untouchables to the rescue.
The scorpions got to close and the new Hawks are controlled so we have no hope.
Being one of the only countries that let rapists and murders out on bail you really have no hope, also when you have such cruel people as we have with the excuse of culture and rights we are finished.
People do not realise how stressful living here is until you leave and experience a better life without the stress and fear.
I could write all night about the horrendous crimes and cruelty, but you have heard it all before and my writing will not change it.
I think the day will come here in SA when the unrest will start just like Libya and Syria, God help us. If you think not? Remember the old saying “you can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time” The day will come dear ANC and the blood bath will start.

Monica Murray - 2013-10-13 11:53

At Leonardb1, its because everyone wants a piece of the money pie..........its disgusting.